The PulseTeam, Book Two: Evolution

Chapter Fifteen: Not Ready, Yet...

Part One: The Public Humiliation Of Lord Nabalian

The Throne Room | Raena Caelora, Elf Territory
Thursday, July 6, 2034 | 09:00 EST

After last night's crazy events, I reverted back to my human form and Asune fervently apologized to Their Majesties that they had to witness her insane Demon Rage Mode. But Queen Halanaestra and King Silvyr simply embraced her while she was still in her Rage Mode--horns and all--and Silvyr said, "No apologies are necessary, child. You are a hero. Of epic proportions. Our people will just have to get over themselves and get used to you, because there is really not much more you can do to prove yourself to us."

"Thank you, both of you," she replied. "You really have absolutely no idea how much this means to me."

"I think, that, at this point," said Halanaestra, "this party is over. But, you all are still welcome back to the palace anytime you need something, or even if you just want to talk. If not both of us, then either King Silvyr or myself will be here. Just call for us."

"In fact," continued the king, "would you all like to be present at Nabalian's fall from grace, three hours after the break of dawn?"

My team turned to me for an answer, and I said, "Well, why not? We'll be tired as all heck, but I think we can swing it. Full-dress armor?"

"Yes," he says.

"Alright, we'll be there."

So, here we are, waiting for Lord Nabalian to arrive, and Alexa asks me under her breath so that only I can hear her, "What are you doing tonight?"

"Routine checks on all our equipment and our vehicle," I respond in a slightly louder whisper. "Why? Did you have something else in mind?"

"Yes," she replies, plainly and simply. "I want to go somewhere we can be alone and spend almost the whole time kissing you."

I blush madly. And she continues, "I know that this is unlike me, and not really something that I would say or do, but I don't want to talk. We already know literally everything there is to know about each other, and if there's something new, we can find that out together later. I just want to kiss. And that's something that we've never done before, you know? I just want to try something new."

And I get where she's coming from. It's actually kinda hot, come to think of it, that she came up with this idea on her own. But I know that we're going to have a talk about something. I'm calling it, right now.

Before I can give my response, though, the palace crier shouts out, "Behold: Lord Nabalian Tarsis of Sylvanoria!"

The hungover Sylvanorian noble moves slowly and carefully, trying not to let show how much the light is bothering him, and how nauseous he is, and how completely off-balance he is. But I, at the very least, can see it. It's embarrassing, really.

When he finally gets to the foot of the steps leading up to the thrones, Nabalian kneels before the king, queen, and princess. When he gets up, King Silvyr asks Nabalian, "Are you aware of why you have been summoned here, today?"

"I am not, sire," he replies. "But if I may, why, prithee, have I been summoned here?"

"I want you to look to your left, Nabalian," says the king.

He does.

"The demon girl, sire? Why is she here? Did she do something to Sylvanoria?"

I knew he would say something like that. That's why when we got here, I made it a point to keep Rick next to me. Rick starts toward Nabalian, so I catch him and look at the king, who, with a hand signal, gives me the okay to let Rick go, and I do.